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4 Hours
Daily Tour
8 people
English
Four hours. One island. One bay. And the best turtle watching of the day.
As the sun begins its descent over the Ionian, something shifts in the southern waters of Zakynthos. The heat of the day lifts. The light softens. And in the protected bay of Marathonisi, the loggerhead turtles respond to the fading light in the way they have for thousands of years — moving towards the shore to nest.
This is a shorter, more focused evening on the water. No caves, no long coastline to cover — just you, the bay, the turtles, and four hours that belong entirely to your group.
Your evening begins at your accommodation. A private transfer brings you to the port of Zakynthos, where the Catalina is waiting. By 18:00 you are on the water, heading south into the National Marine Park as the day begins to turn.
At Marathonisi the boat slows and the engine drops to a murmur. The Caretta caretta turtles surface here in the protected bay, as they have done for thousands of years. As the sun sets, the fading light draws them towards the shore to nest, and in the evening hours the bay comes alive with them in a way no morning visit can match. Your skipper knows exactly where to be. Stay quiet, stay still, and watch. The chances of a sighting at this hour are as good as they get.
There are swim stops along the way — your skipper will find the right spots as the evening unfolds. The water is still warm from the day, the light is turning golden, and there is nowhere else you need to be.
At 22:00 the Catalina returns to port. Your transfer takes you home.
M/Y Catalina — Italian Elegance on the Ionian
There is a particular kind of elegance that Italian design does effortlessly — clean lines, understated luxury, and a quality of finish that feels considered rather than showy. The Catalina is exactly that. Built by Cranchi, one of Italy’s most respected yacht makers, and fully refitted in 2020, she is a boat that balances performance with comfort in a way that very few vessels in this class manage. Fast enough to cover the coastline of Zakynthos with ease, unhurried enough to linger where it counts. On deck, the wide bathing platform and floating island invite you to take your drinks directly in the sea. A premium Bluetooth sound system means the soundtrack to your day is entirely your own. Below deck, two air-conditioned private cabins offer a level of comfort that turns a day cruise into something closer to a private retreat. Up to 8 guests. A crew of 2. And a boat that makes every stretch of the Ionian feel like it was made for you.
| Shipyard | Cranchi |
| Model | Smeraldo 37 |
| Length | 37ft |
| Year Built | 2007 — fully refitted 2020 |
| Guests | Up to 8 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Staterooms | 2 |
| Power | 2 x 300 HP Volvo |
| Top Speed | 36 knots |
| Cruising Speed | 25 knots |
This cruise is focused exclusively on Marathonisi — the protected bay in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos where loggerhead sea turtles nest. It is a shorter, more intimate experience than the 6 hour cruises, designed around the single most compelling reason to be on the water in the evening.
Sea turtles are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. However the evening is genuinely the best time to visit Marathonisi for turtle watching. As the sun sets, the fading light signals the turtles to come ashore to nest — the population near the shore increases significantly and sightings are at their most likely. Your skipper knows exactly where to position the boat. Stay quiet, stay still, and wait.
As the sun sets, the fading light acts as a natural signal for the loggerhead turtles to move towards the shore to nest. The population near the shoreline is at its highest in the evening hours, making this the best time of day for a sighting.
The Catalina accommodates up to 8 guests.
Yes. A private transfer will collect you from your hotel, villa or any other accommodation on the island and bring you to the port of Zakynthos. The same transfer takes you home at the end of the cruise.
Snacks, fresh fruit, water, wine, beer, coffee and soft drinks are all included and served throughout the cruise. No meals are included on this cruise.
Yes — your skipper will find the best spots as the evening unfolds.
Safety always comes first. If sea conditions are unsuitable, we will reschedule you on the next available date at no extra cost, or offer a full refund if you are unable to join a future cruise.
No minimum — the boat is yours regardless of how many people are in your group, up to a maximum of 8.
Yes, children are welcome on board accompanied by an adult.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a towel. Swimwear of course. A light cover-up for the evening breeze when the boat is moving. Everything else is taken care of.
The price is for the entire boat — not per person. VAT is included.
Zante Voyage, Agiou Dionisiou, Zakinthos, Greece
Zante Voyage, Agiou Dionisiou, Zakinthos, Greece
Zante Voyage, Agiou Dionisiou, Zakinthos, Greece
Zante Voyage, Agiou Dionisiou, Zakinthos, Greece
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